She wants to hold the ducks

Our friend who lives in Detroit currently has four ducks in his back yard. He's on his 12th duck, as some have been killed by a dog for example and some have been eaten. These four girls were traded at a farm for his beloved goat who was eating up his whole garden and who was also lonely and distressed. This is a neighborhood in Ferndale within Detroit and the houses are close together and it's very much a city block. Once, when our friend was walking home from a friend's house with his goat, a policeman pulled him over and the conversation went something like this: P"Have you been drinking tonight?" S"No, sir, just walking home." P"Is that your goat?" S"Yes." Policeman:"Umm....can I pet it?" S"Yes" :) The neighbors are great with the animals being raised in the back yard and the eggs should be plentiful as soon as these girls reach a certain age. I've been inspired to raise a couple animals myself in my back yard! Have to talk to Jason about that...
Jilliann was very brave around these ducks. First, we fed them from outside the gate and as they quickly snatched food out of our hands in a very ungentle way, Jilliann wanted to get them more food and feed them over and over again. Then, the gate was pulled back and Jilliann walked right in with no hesitation toward the ducks and plopped right down beside the water bowl they were drinking from. Why? Because she wanted to hold the ducks. What? I've learned that Jilliann associates sitting down with holding things since I've taught her she needs to sit down to hold babies. It's so interesting to watch associations form. I'm happy to feel like I can read Jilliann and translate her body language. Her verbal language is growing a lot this week. My dad is here visiting and he's happy that she's said "Grandpa" and "milk" is also a new one.
Here she is holding Jacob, whom she adores.